Today in Labor History October 31, 1931: Unemployed lumberjack Jesse Jackson led the inauguration of the first Hooverville on vacant land owned by the Port of Seattle near Pioneer Square. Within two days over 50 shacks were erected and by 1934, 600-1000 people were living in them. By 1941, Seattle's “Hooverville” covered 25 blocks. Hoovervilles eventually spread throughout the country.
@MikeDunnAuthor What's always wild to me about all these photos of historic hoovervilles is they're much nicer than the accomodations people have in Seattle today.
Those are permanent wooden structures heated with wood fires, and they have more space in between them than most peoples' tents do today.
Instead of being constantly swept by pigs, these shacks had addresses and would receive mail from postal workers. It's incredible how much crueller we are today.
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